Solar Development Village of Potsdam 180, Article XII Photovoltaic - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Zoning for Large Scale Solar Development

Village of Potsdam §180, Article XII – Photovoltaic Siting Ordinance Frederick Hanss, Director of Planning and Development

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

• The Challenge and Opportunity.
• Yikes! Now What!
• Evolution and Outcome.
• The Ordinance’s Key Provisions.
• Words to the Wise.

The Challenge and Opportunity

• The Village of Potsdam’s Zoning Law was out-of-date; the 2012-2022

Comprehensive Plan called for the law to be updated.

• An out-of-town developer proposed a 150 unit student rental housing

project adjacent to the SUNY Potsdam campus including a “utility-scale” solar development.

• The proposed solar development was adjacent to an established single family

residential neighborhood and a proposed high end residential development.

YIKES! Now What!

• From a zoning perspective, the Village was unprepared for this type of

development.

• Village planning and code enforcement staff had little if any experience with

utility-scale solar projects.

• Without guiding regulations, projects such as this one create uncertainty and

anxiety.

Evolution and Outcome

• Key principles: Protection of existing property owners, preservation of

historic properties; and, the desire to promote solar energy and provide a wide range of solar energy opportunities.

• Village Board adopted a six-month Moratorium on the development of

utility-scale solar projects and tasked the Village Planning Board with studying the issue and drafting a photovoltaic siting ordinance.

Evolution and Outcome

• Ace-in-the-Hole: The Planning Board members included a commercial electrician, a

contractor and several members with a good baseline understanding of the technology.

• Planning staff researched local laws, NYS’ streamlined siting law, and finally settled
• n a model developed by Pace University as a starting point for a local ordinance.
• The Planning Board and staff worked through six draft laws before finally agreeing
• n a version that was referred to the Village Board of Trustees and ultimately

adopted.

The Ordinance’s Key Provisions

• Rooftop/building-mounted collectors are a standard use in all residential

zoning districts.

• Installation of rooftop/building mounted collectors requires site plan

approval in all other zoning districts.

• Installation of flush-mounted rooftop collectors within the Market Street

National Historic Register District.

• Utility-scale developments permitted in the industrial, light industrial and R-3

zoning districts subject to a special use permit and site plan review.

Words to the Wise

• Be pro-active!
• Include the 8 components of a sound solar ordinance covered by Mr.

Pfotenhauer!

• Go to: https://ecode360.com/30555060 to view the Village ordinance

Thank You

• Frederick J. Hanss, Director of Planning and Development, Village of

Potsdam

• (315) 265-1670
• fhanss@vi.potsdam.ny.us